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IMO ans is Option E

Statement 1 says L>3
Statement 2 says L <7

Combining both we get L is between 3 and 7 hence L can be 4, 5 ,6 .
Thus not sufficient because of multiple values
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gmatbusters
If, J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order, what is the value of L?

(1) The value of K is 3.
(2) The value of M is 7.


Statement 1 states L is more than 3
Statement 2 states L is less than 7

Combining both we will get L is between 3 and 7 hence L can be between 4 to 6 inclusive .
Thus not sufficient because L could be 4, 5, or 6.

Hence answer is Option E­
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gmatbusters
If, J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order, what is the value of L?

(1) The value of K is 3.
(2) The value of M is 7.
Given: J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order

Target question: What is the value of L?

Statement 1: The value of K is 3.
There are many scenarios that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 4
Case b: J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 5
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: The value of M is 7.
There are many scenarios that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
Case a: J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 4
Case b: J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 5
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
IMPORTANT: Notice that I was able to use the same counter-examples to show that each statement ALONE is not sufficient. So, the same counter-examples will satisfy the two statements COMBINED.
In other words,
Case a: J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 4
Case b: J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is L = 5
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent­
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What if we apply Mean concept here. As 5 variables are in the ascending order. The Value of L can be identified by knowing K and M.

L = (K+M)/2
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What if we apply Mean concept here. As 5 variables are in the ascending order. The Value of L can be identified by knowing K and M.

L = (K+M)/2


TheFlash

I thought that too. But then values are in ascending order and not equidistant (AP).

There is a difference between 1,6,7,9,10 and 1,2,3,4,5.

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If, J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order, what is the value of L?

(1) The value of K is 3.
(2) The value of M is 7.
(A) Just knowing the value of \(K\) tells us that \(L>3\) but we cannot determine a unique value for \(L\).

(B) Just knowing the value of \(M\) tells us that \(L<7\) but we cannot determine a unique value for \(L\).

Combining the two we get
\(3<L<7\) but we still cannot determine a unique value for \(L\) as \(L\) could be \(4\) or \(5\) or \(6\).

Hence, E.­
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1. S1

J(1/2), K(3/3), L(5/4), M(7/5)
Not Sufficient

2. S2
N(7/7), M(6/5), L(5/3), K(4/2),J(3/1)
Not Sufficient

3. Combine S1 & S2 NOT SUFFICIENT

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From considering 1) and 2) alone, we can't point out a definite value for L.
Now consider both 1 and 2 then, J>K=3> L> M=7> N

So L can be 4,5 or 6.
Hence Option E
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